This painting is important. It is the first time in a long time that I have painted people. A cold day and family members are huddled around a coal stove eating hot pot. I was possessed enough to rush out and get my easel and put out this painting. But it has really been a long time since I have felt urges to paint people. It seems like what is next.

And then my close friend called to wish me a happy new year, and he said, "You should start painting people." Ha! Where did this idea of his come from? How did he know?